Susan Walsh/AP
Skirmishes between protesters, police, and Turkish security personnel broke out in the streets of downtown Washington, DC, shortly before Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an was set to give a speech at the Brookings Institution.
Erdo?an traveled to the Washington metro area to open a cultural center in Lanham, Maryland, attend the Nuclear Security Summit, and to meet with Vice President Joe Biden. His speech on Thursday, however, was overshadowed by what happened in the streets beforehand.
Crazy start to the Erdogan event at Brookings: One journalist physically removed by Turkish security personnel; another kicked by a guard
— Yochi Dreazen (@yochidreazen) March 31, 2016
Never seen anything like this:a female protester just tackled. DC cops are in the street trying to keep Turkish guards from hurting folks
— Yochi Dreazen (@yochidreazen) March 31, 2016
This is happening outside Brookings pic.twitter.com/dG4QQZ32xd
— Yochi Dreazen (@yochidreazen) March 31, 2016
Really wondering if Erdogan will even show up given that his guards are tackling protesters and kicking journalists
— Yochi Dreazen (@yochidreazen) March 31, 2016
Punches being thrown as a pro-Erdogan protester crosses the street pic.twitter.com/miKuUis88v
— Ali Watkins (@AliWatkins) March 31, 2016
In front of Brookings for Turkish Pres. Erdogan speech, one of his security assaulted Brookings employee. It’s crazy
— paul mcleary (@paulmcleary) March 31, 2016
Turkish security coming pretty damn close to getting into fistfights with DC PD
— paul mcleary (@paulmcleary) March 31, 2016
Looks like Brookings staff escorting some journos into building to protect them from Erdogan’s goons threatening them
— paul mcleary (@paulmcleary) March 31, 2016
